New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-01
BELATED APPROPRIATIONS.

Nearly every year, Of late. the Senate has
been compelled to pass important appropra-
ton bills with no time for their examination
or discussion, or else to subject the country to
the expense Of an extra session. This is be-
cause of the vicious habit of holding such bills
in the House until it is too late for their proper
consideration In the Senate. Those who con-
troi action in the House, of whom Mr.. Randall
is in this matter the chief, have had some ex-
cuse. They have desired to prevent mwisc
action on the tariff and on other matters. Be
ing in 4 minority, the only way in which they
could thwart the will of the free trade ma
Jorty has bccn to hold back appropriation bills
long enough to block the road when dangerous
legislation was attempted. The primary cause
OF evil, therefore, Is the disposition of the Free
Traders TO break down home industries the
few Democratic members who see that this
would he fatal TO their purity. and strive 10 pre-
vent such suicidal action, have had no other
means, oftentimes except to delay appropria-
ton bills.
This year no such excuse exists. The tariff
question was brought to a vote early in the
session. By clear majority the House refused
20 take mp Mr.. Morrisons bill. The Speaker
has refused to recognize any member. not repre-.
scnting the Free Traders. to move any rcduc-
ton Of taxes, so that for weeks there has been
no chance of legislation on that topic. 1t was
perfectly easy, had Mr.. Randall ard the COM
mittecmcn pleased TO pass the appropriation
bills long ago, so that they could be fully con-
sidercd in the Senate. Tut certain members Of
tho House hare become fond of the peculiar
power which the delay Of necessary measures
places In their hands. They can thrust into
appropriation bills new legislation to which
oven the House would never assent, II each
proposition were separately considered; can
make lack OF time an excuse for rushing bills
through under the previous question. without
giving any member n chance to speak, to OBJ
jet, or to offer amendments, can send the
bills into the Senate so late that there Is no
time to rsd them with care. still less to debate
them and fix public attention upon the changes
Of law proposed, and then the Senate must pass
these measures, with all their faults and
changes of law, or take the responsibility of
rendering an extra session necessary, without
opportunity Of enliStlng public support for tho
position taken. This year some most inpor-
tant appropriation bills have passed the House
without word of debate, with no opportunity
If amendment, and have been sent TO the SEN
ale too late for proper consideration. In them
are found important changes Of law. II the
Senate refuses them, an extra session Is threat
cned. If IL assents TO them, IL suucnders its
legitimate power as an Independent law-mak-
ing body, and permits great changes Of public
policy.
Take the appropriation for the Civil Service
Commission as an example. The House Com
mittee has hidden away in an appropriation
bill, contrary to the rules a provision requir-
ing the Commi. sion to change the rules which
| tic Commission has adopted with approval OF
the President, on penalty of starvation. But
this is virtually repeal Of the act by which
tho Commission was created, and clothed with
certain power. and authorized 10 expect a GER
tain supply for ite expenses. The Senate would
be entirely justified il it should refuse to con-
slider an appropriation bill containing this pro-
vision, even though an extra session should
result. II the House desires TO repeal the Civil
Service act there is proper and decent way
TO do So but it is not by provision in An ap
preparation bin.
Indeed, it is time 10 go stiIl further. Sen
ator Allison is reported TO have said that the
| Senate would not consider an appropriation
bill of all, if it should not reach that body by las
Saturday. Whether he made the remark OF
not, he might well have mado it, and might
well act upon that principle. The Senate has
no business to allow itelf to be deprived Of
its equal power in the framing and considera-
ton of laws. 1t has no business through in
disposition for a dispute, to suffer radical
changes Of policy to lie made which it does not
approve 1t has no business to pass, without
care, or opportunity for discussion, measures
disposing Of many millions of money, and a.
the same time effecting unknown changes in
the laws, which arc Of such a questionable char
ac:er that committees responsible for them dc
not venture to have them sOberly and thorough
ly considered in the House itself. The response
bility for an extra ses,ion will rest entirely
upon the House. if the Senate refuses to pas
bills under such circumstances.